Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-11-11
A Eo.,iladeipI,ia Murder.

The tTia gf Robert G. Hail, variety &C.
tos, for the killing Of Sophie Z. Smith, alias
Lillian Rivers, n nctress, on the 81 of June
last, in Philadelphia, has resulted in YER
dict by the jury OF murder in the first de.
gree, after being cut but short time. Hall,
who was married man, and had . wife
and two children living in 81. Louis, became
infatuated wiih Liiliaa Rivers, and lived
with her under au agreement which he mad
himself drawn up, binding them SIS man and
wife, tor some time. Both Of the parties
were OF jealous disposition, and it has
been shown that Hall had threatened to
take the woman'5 life on account of alleged
infidelity on her part, and also TO end his
own existence after putting ber out of the
way Ga the night b5fore the murder Mrs.
Rivers left their lodging on account OF the
fear of Halls carrying out his threat, and,
returning the following morning to remove
her effects, shc and Hall became involved in
wordy quarrel, during which he accused
her OF having maintained gu improper init.
macy with certain man of Philadelphia.
The result OF the wrauglc wes that Hall
drew tr0m lis pocket a revolver and shot
!er ia the face, but when he saw that
death did not at once ensue. he sent another
bullet into her head. Whom the sec.
ond saot failed in its mission, ho brought
cut razor and cut her throat, which proved
effective, and she Icy corpse ST his feet.
Havug accom- pl.shed his nurdoroue object,
he applied the razor to his own threat, with
tie intention Of following her tc the grave.
His stEoke failed, h0wever, aud after few
weeks treatment al the hospital, he fe-.
covered sufficiently 10 be removed TO
p,isou, 10 await trial for murder, which
resuited IS ahove stated. Hall, previous to
6te commission OF the crime. wrote & letter
TO the coroner, aIG also one 10 his father,
asserting E.a sauiCy and staiicg that he had
determined 10 puE an end TO the alllance
wJ!ch oe claimed aad existed between the
Womau Rivers eHd the man he bad accused
OF wrooging bim. During the trial the pris
onel's counsel set up insanity as their plec,
ana although much evidence wsS adducec
70 support the n!ea. the jufy decided
.hat he was guilty of The highest
Grade OF crime known TO the law.
4 short time before the shooting Of MIS-.
Rivers by I3aii, her alleged husband, Frank
Rivers, sn actor, while IN u iii ot Melancholy
IS > result OK his misfortune IL securing
work, ATTEMPTED: 10 .aut;ieg her bus was not
successful. sac MAs removed tU q hospital,
aud in J. short tima her wound healed up.
and Rivers left tha State 1t was not long
af er hat that she fell in with Hail, and as
q sequel To her uupieasant relations with
hm sne met the unhappy fats related.
Abour the gear 1864 a variety actor bear
ius The same name as th4 Individual whose
fata Is given above resided in this city.
a. that ticie there was q concert hall known
as the Casino" in the third story of what
wa- then cahed Stewards Hall, on King
street, tie building now owned by Dir. Fred
erick Pah, Halls pEincipa! occupation st
this place WAS that of q fiddler, though nc
often appeared on the stage in burlesque
pays The place was resort for soldiers
mostly, and was but seldom visited by our
citizens